#livefreeThursday: When mercy is all I have

I don’t always know what it’s going to look like or how it will turn out.

Do you relate?

Thank goodness. I’m not the only one. ♥

But that doesn’t mean that God can’t use my life or my words. And it doesn’t mean that He can’t use your life or words, either.

Because we have mercy and it’s enough.

It’s enough because we’ve been given mercy.

…Immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. Ephesians 2:1-6 (The Message)

Think about it. In those times when you needed help or encouragement, you didn’t want pat answers.

You didn’t want anyone to fix you.

You didn’t want to step into someone else’s one-two-three plan to success.

Maybe, like me, you just needed to know that you mattered and that you hadn’t messed up so bad that you were beyond reach.

Or perhaps you wanted to know that tomorrow would be better.

Maybe, just like me, you wondered out loud if God had a plan for you.

And that’s exactly what mercy offers all of us.

Sometimes, sweet friends, we have nothing to offer but mercy to our children, to our loved ones, to strangers, in our marriage, to our world, to our community, to our neighbor, to ourselves. . .

. . . and it’s enough

Actually, it’s more than enough.

Because it helps us love a person right where they are.

It helps us hold up our anger anger or resentment or burden of the past and ask God to replace that woundedness with His presence.

It helps us to close our mouth and just.be.there.

Sure, there are times when mercy will lead you to speak or to act. Certainly, there are times that mercy will lead you to walk beside them as they find their way.

And yes, there are times that mercy will lead you to wrap that child in your arms or draw you to your knees on the behalf of someone you don’t even know.

But you don’t have to have all the answers. You aren’t required to fix anyone else.

Instead you simply receive what Jesus gives and then you turn around and offer it to another.

Suzie

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Comments

Thanks Suzie….this was just as if God Himself spoke right into my situation right when I was needing to hear from Him…don’t you love it when the exact right words comet the exact right time ?
From New Zealand….THANK YOU !!!!

“… receive what Jesus gives, and then turn around, and offer it to another…” Oh gosh, how simple and beautiful is that truth? You whole post is filled with words that my soul can just settle into and rest in His Spirit. So blessed every week by your posts, Suzanne, can’t tell you how much!!!

It’s easy to “love mercy” when I am on the receiving end… but do I “love” to extend His mercy to others? That’s a question I am considering this morning after reading your words here, Suzie. There is great wisdom in your words here. Thanks 🙂

I LOVE that Micah verse and this thought came to mind:
“Lovers of Mercy”
If we have freely received such mercy, we should freely share it. It came free to us–but at great price to God. Knowing this great gift and that we can give it to others at virtually no expense to us should compel us to spread the love. (This is a weak illustration, but…) It is like we are able to pass out billion dollar bills to everyone (except at a higher “denomination”-billion doesn’t compare to eternal love and safety with God the Father!)
Suzie, this prompt was a little of a dredge match for me. It caused me to reflect on a pretty intense memory of mercy in my past, but I pray in sharing it, it will minister to someone!
Thanks for letting us into your heart and life on #LiveFreeThursday! 🙂

“It’s enough because we’ve been given mercy.”
Yes! It’s never difficult to share grace and mercy with others when I keep my heart focused on God’s grace and mercy. It’s when I lose sight of this that I falter. Leaning and learning everyday! In the words of someone special, I’m a grace-girl!

How freeing! Thank you for the reminder that we don’t have to ‘fix’ anyone. I loved the verse you shared from Micah. We are simply called to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk in humility with our Lord. We truly do not need to have all the answers, just extend mercy and love with those God brings across our path. I have seen the beauty in this on my blog recently. I shared that I was really struggling, and I asked for prayer. My beautiful sisters-in-Christ were so merciful and showered love on me, without a single one trying to give me a solution to ‘fix’ my situation. It was life-giving and freeing. I am humbled and deeply touched by the love that flows from the beautiful women of faith in the blogging world.
Many blessings Suzie,
Kamea

Kim, I love this community. I look forward to Thursdays. I do see this group as a conversation among brave girls who love Christ and who desire to live free, and bring others alongside in that journey. I’m so glad you are a part.

Wow, so true. Sometimes, when I am less-than-patient with others, God gently reminds me where I came from, and what a difference He has made in my life. Then I remember His mercy, which I didn’t deserve. God’s mercy gives me the freedom and desire to show mercy to others. He is awesome!

“…Immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us…” <— Love this portion from Eph. Don't know that I've read it in the MSG before. Wow. It's a beautiful and very real way to fill my cup on this Thurs. morning, centered on the depth of his embrace. Thank you for taking us there this morning, Suzie.

It filled mine as well. I read that and sat there quietly, letting it soak in. What a beautiful gift! When I see mercy as “being embraced by Jesus,” how can I not receive that gift? How can I not, in return, offer it to others?

“Because we have mercy and that’s enough.” I am so thankful for mercy that is given to me and for the mercy that I am learning to give. It is difficult not to want to fix problems for those dear to us. Thank you, Suzie for reminding us to have mercy. We don’t always have the right words…that is difficult to accept, but oh so true. Thank you for #livefreeThursday! It has been such an inspiration and blessing to me! Love & Blessings!

I think that sometimes we offer words because we have nothing to say, and yet just being there offers everything that is needed in the moment. Micah, thank you for being a part. I loved your post today!

“Instead you simply receive what Jesus gives and then you turn around and offer it to another.”
So true. Makes me think that if I have not been giving well it’s likely because I am not receiving well and that’s worthy of some reflection. Happy Thursday, I am grateful for you.